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BRUCE GARRIOCH, QMI Agency

Sep 18, 2011

, Last Updated: 12:46 AM ET

OTTAWA - It didn’t take long for new coach Paul MacLean to start experimenting.

As Team Boschman skated on to the ice for the first session of Senators camp Saturday at the Bell Sensplex, veteran centre Jason Spezza had Bobby Butler and newcomer Nikita Filatov on the wings as the 2011-12 team officially started to take shape.

While it’s going to be a while before any decisions are made, the trio has a chance to start the season together if they show they’ve got chemistry during the exhibition games that start Monday against the Leafs in Toronto.

Though Spezza has had success in the past with Milan Michalek and Daniel Alfredsson, MacLean said last week he doesn’t want to start camp with that line because he wants to spread around potential scoring.

Alfredsson and Michalek had rookie Mika Zibanejad in the middle. With 59 players in camp, MacLean is going to try different combinations to give the young players a chance to succeed at the NHL level.

“In my conversations I’ve had with (MacLean), he’s told me I’m going to be playing with everybody all year,” said Spezza. “It’s one of those things where he likes to mix things up a little bit and we may see different guys on different lines.

“As a player, it’s not a big deal. You just want to know what you’re getting into and that it’s going to be that way. I’ve never had a problem playing with different guys.”

Though Spezza and Butler had chemistry at the end of last season when the purge of veteran talent began, a strong camp is of upmost importance for Filatov. The 21-year-old winger was acquired from Columbus for a third-round pick in June.

The No. 6 overall pick in the 2008 draft, Filatov is going to get the chance to play a top six role here. He was never going to get that with the Blue Jackets after spending most of last season with the club’s AHL affiliate in Springfield.

“I’m really excited and I’m glad to be here,” said Filatov. “This is a good opportunity for me. There’s a lot of young guys and this is a really good chance for me. I want to play my best game. Hopefully, it’s going to work.

“I think everybody is pretty much on the same page with the new coach. There’s a lot of young players and everybody is pretty much in the same situation, so we’ll see how it goes.”

Spezza said the new home will be good for Filatov.

“I wasn’t there in Columbus, (MacLean) wasn’t there in Columbus and (GM) Bryan (Murray) wasn’t there in Columbus,” said Spezza. “It’s probably the best scenario for him. He’s got a fresh start here.

“If he plays well, they’ll give him a heck of a chance. If he doesn’t, they’ll treat him like anybody else who doesn’t play well here. The best thing for him is that he’s coming to a new organization with guys that don’t know him. He’s come with a great attitude so far.”

MacLean said he’ll have a better idea what Filatov can bring later in the camp. His group didn’t take part in a scrimmage and it’s difficult to tell from one practice.

“He’s a top-six draft pick. He’s got high-end speed and high-end skill. I’d like to see him have a bit more of nose and be a little bit more diligent without the puck, but those are things that we can teach,” said MacLean.